The Search for False Witnesses - Matthew 26:60

Matthew the apostle wrote how “all the disciples forsook” Jesus “and fled.” after He was seized in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew continued, “And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse sixty of his book, Matthew wrote how the religious leaders sought “false witnesses” but, “found none, yes, though many false witnesses came” where we read:

But found none: yes, though many false witnesses came,

yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

The verse reads, “But found none: yes, though many false witnesses came, ...” Matthew began word, “but” which means “nonetheless” “found none” or “came upon, discovered and detected not one”: “yes” which means “also, even so and indeed” “though many false witnesses came” or “though a large group of people who were spurious bearers of untrue testimony approached and came forth”. Matthew shared how the “religious leaders” were not able to find a single person with an “untrue testimony” concerning Jesus even though a great number of them appeared.

The verse goes on to say, “... yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,” Matthew continued with the words, “yet found they none” or “still they did not come upon, discover and detect a single one”. “At the last” which means “later, coming after and afterward” “came two false witnesses” or “approached and came forth two bearers of untrue testimony”. Matthew shared although there was a “search” for “false witnesses” against Jesus, they did not “find any”. However, “two witnesses” came forth later.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the “religious leaders” desired to rid themselves of Jesus regardless of whether He was truly or falsely “accused”. As incredible as it may seem, they wanted credible “false testimonies” to convict Him. Though they “searched” diligently, they were unable to find anyone who could bring an accusation against Jesus whereby they could charge Him with a capital offense. God loves people, and even though they wanted His Son Jesus dead, He allowed this to occur so the “sins” of people might be forgiven and they could live with Him forever. Let all those reading these things Jesus went through on their behalf submit their lives to the One who endured “false witnesses” so they might be “saved”.

Next time Matthew shares how the false witnesses declare, “this fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God in three days”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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